Centre approves Bihar’s first-ever nuclear power plant under Nuclear Energy Mission
New Delhi: Bihar is set to get its first-ever nuclear power plant after the Narendra Modi government approved the project under India's new Nuclear Energy Mission, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
Bihar will be among the six states to get the plant under the Mission, announced Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
A Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based nuclear power plant will be set up in Bihar following the Centre's approval.
Khattar stated that the approval was granted in response to the Bihar government’s request for such a facility, Moneycontrol reported.
If the Bihar government sets up a nuclear power plant, the Centre is fully prepared to back the project, Khattar added.
The details regarding the scale and site of the plant are likely to be finalised in the later stages of the project.
The Centre’s newly announced Nuclear Energy Mission seeks to expand clean and dependable nuclear power across India while bolstering regional energy security.
As part of this plan, the government intends to establish at least one nuclear power plant in every state to safeguard the country’s energy future.
"As the country’s growth rate increases, so does electricity demand. Nuclear power is a reliable, sustainable, and long-term energy option," the Union Power Minister was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a new generation of nuclear technology, offer greater flexibility and are more cost-efficient than conventional reactors.
Their compact design allows them to be integrated into smaller grids and enhances safety through advanced features.
The nuclear plant proposed for Bihar—announced just ahead of the state’s Assembly elections—is seen as a major boost for a state that has long grappled with power shortages and underdeveloped infrastructure.
Officials say the project will improve electricity supply stability in Bihar and fuel the state’s industrial growth.
In addition to the nuclear facility, the Centre has cleared a 1,000 MW battery storage project for the state to support renewable energy integration and strengthen grid reliability.
The project will receive viability gap funding of ₹18 lakh per MW from the government.
The announcements were made by Union Minister Khattar following a meeting of eastern region power ministers, attended by delegates from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
He said the government has outlined a comprehensive energy roadmap for 2035, encompassing thermal, solar, wind, storage, and nuclear projects.
The move is part of a larger policy push to diversify India’s energy portfolio and respond to increasing electricity needs using modern nuclear solutions.
Acknowledging Bihar’s recent achievements in the power sector, the minister highlighted the installation of eight million smart meters and a notable reduction in technical and commercial losses.
"Bihar was lagging behind in power sector but it has done a considerably good job," he said, adding that the Centre has agreed to provide the state with an additional 500 MW of power for the next six months to help tackle summer demand, recognising its recent reforms, according to the report.
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